Dana White and the UFC’s long-awaited return to Rio de Janeiro has turned into a storm of uncertainty. What was supposed to be a celebration of Brazilian stars inside the Farmasi Arena on October 11 is now riddled with setbacks. First, Charles Oliveira lost his headliner against Rafael Fiziev when the no. 10-ranked lightweight went down injured.

Now, the card has suffered another blow. A welterweight clash between Gabriel Bonfim and Randy Brown has reportedly collapsed just weeks before fight night. For Oliveira, already left in limbo without an opponent, this latest cancellation only adds to the dark cloud hanging over UFC Rio.

UFC Rio: The woes keep piling on

The report of Randy Brown’s withdrawal was first shared on X by AG Fight, as they wrote, “Randy Brown is out and Gabriel Bonfim is looking for a new opponent for the #ufcrio”

For Bonfim, nicknamed ‘Marretinha’, the timing couldn’t be worse. The 28-year-old welterweight is riding a three-fight win streak, including a submission over Khaos Williams and a razor-close decision against Stephen Thompson this past July. He had hoped to extend that momentum in front of a home crowd in Rio, a city where he first announced himself to UFC fans with a guillotine choke victory at UFC 283 in 2023.

Randy Brown’s withdrawal also leaves a hole in the welterweight storylines. The Jamaican-American fighter was coming off a knockout win over Nicolas Dalby, which earned ‘Fight of the Night’ honors back in April.

The situation puts even more pressure on the UFC matchmakers. With Charles Oliveira’s main event already in jeopardy and Bonfim stranded without a dance partner, the promotion faces the challenge of rebuilding the card quickly. Can Dana White‘s team pull it off? It remains to be seen.

‘Do Bronx’ is already coming off a crushing first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, a defeat that derailed his attempt to recapture lightweight gold. For a fighter who thrives on momentum, the uncertainty could not come at a worse moment. At the time of writing, the UFC hasn’t confirmed whether a replacement will step in, but there are already hands being raised in the lightweight division for a shot at Oliveira!

Charles Oliveira draws Renato Moicano and Mateusz Gamrot’s attention for UFC Rio replacements

Two names have already surfaced as potential saviors for the UFC Rio main event. Mateusz Gamrot and Renato Moicano both wasted no time in making their intentions clear. For Dana White and the promotion, these offers might be the lifeline needed to salvage a headliner fight that Brazilian fans have been waiting for.

Gamrot was the first to speak up. The no. 8-ranked lightweight, fresh off ending Ludovit Klein’s streak earlier this year, went public with a bold declaration. Posting on X, he wrote, “I’m ready and hungry to jump in!! Come on.”

Moicano’s approach was more subtle, but no less intriguing. The no. 11-ranked Brazilian simply posted a pair of wide-eyed emojis after hearing of Fiziev’s injury. For fans in Rio, an all-Brazilian headliner could spark electric energy inside the Farmasi Arena. Yet the 36-year-old enters with baggage, having lost back-to-back title fights, first via submission to Islam Makhachev in a short-notice title fight at UFC 311, then a brutal knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.

Both options come with risks, but leaving Charles Oliveira without an opponent might be the biggest risk of all. Whether the promotion turns to Gamrot’s hunger or Moicano’s national pride, one thing is clear: the show must go on. But will UFC Rio deliver the celebration fans hoped for, or will it be remembered as the night injuries and chaos stole the spotlight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!